Chicagoland

Chicagoland consists of the Chicago metropolitan area in northeastern Illinois, including Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. Broader definitions also include parts of Southeast Wisconsin and Northwestern Indiana. It covers all of Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane and Will Counties in Illinois, and portions of Kenosha County, Wisconsin; McHenry County, Illinois, and in Indiana, Lake, Porter, and portions of LaPorte Counties.

In this guide, Chicagoland refers only to the region of the metropolitan area which is within the state of Illinois (the narrower definition) and does not include the adjacent urban area in southeastern part of Wisconsin, nor the adjacent urban area in the northwestern part of Indiana (the broadest definition).

Regions

Regions of Chicagoland

City of Chicago The largest city in Illinois, and the third largest in the United States.

North Shore (Evanston, Skokie, Highwood, Deerfield, Highland Park, Ravinia, Northbrook, Glencoe, Hubbard Woods, Winnetka, Northfield, Glenview, Indian Hill, Kenilworth, Wilmette, Lincoln Wood, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest) Suburbs along Lake Michigan between Chicago and High Wood which include some of the most affluent communities in the United States and in the Midwest in particular. Prominent tourist attractions in the region include among others the Ravinia Festival (where artists perform), the Chicago Botanical Gardens, and the Bahá'í House of Worship in Wilmette.

Northwest Suburbs (Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, Palatine, Schaumburg, Libertyville, Lindenhurst, Lake Villa, Round Lake, Grayslake, Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Long Grove, Lincolnshire, Barrington Hills, Inverness, Wheeling, Mount Prospect, Morton Grove, Niles, Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Rosemont, Elk Grove Village, Roselle, Schiller Park, Itasca, Wood Dale) The region generally on and in close proximity to the Union Pacific Northwest Metra Line. Prominent tourist attraction in this region include the Volo Car Museum, the largest mall in Greater Chicago "Woodfield Mall", the main campus of Willow Creek Community Church, one of the country's largest megachurches, in South Barrington, and the family dinner theater "Medieval Times" which features staged medieval-style games, sword-fighting, and jousting.

Far North Suburbs (Waukegan, Gurnee, Winthrop Harbor, Zion, Beach Park, North Chicago) Those suburbs generally in Lake County and near Lake Michigan. Prominent tourist attractions in this region include among others the Gurnee theme park Six Flags Great America.

Western Suburbs (Cicero, Franklin Park, Oak Park, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Addison, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Villa Park, Elmhurst, River Forest, Oak Brook, Westchester, Hillside, River Forest, Forest Park, Berwyn, Riverside, Stickney, Brookfield, Western Springs, Lisle, Downers Grove, Woodridge, Darien, Westmont, Hinsdale, La Grange) The region generally south of O'Hare, north of I-55, and west of Chicago. Prominent tourist attractions in this region include the Brookfield Zoo.

South Suburbs (Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Alsip, Orland Hills, Crestwood, Blue Island, Evergreen Park, Harvey, Oak Forest, Olympia Fields, Dale, Dolton, Burnham, Tinley Park, Thornton, Palos Heights, Palos Park, Markham, Frankfort, Country Club Hills, Hazel Crest, South Holland, Palos Hills, Calumet City, Homewood, Matteson, Richton Park, Thornton, Lansing, Flossmoor, Chicago Heights, Peotone, University Park, Lynwood, Steger, Park Forest, Sauk Village, Crete, Beecher, Midlothian) A region generally along I-57 and south.

Outer Cities and Towns (Chain O' Lakes and Fox River Valley) (Elgin, Bolingbrook, Aurora, Naperville, Antioch, Spring Grove, Fox Lake, Johnsburg, McHenry, Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, St. Charles, West Chicago, Warrenville, Geneva, Batavia, Romeoville, Crest Hill, Joliet, Lockport, Lemont, Goodings Groove, Homer Glen, New Lenox, Mokena, New Lenox) Prominent tourist attractions in this regions include among others the Morton Arboretum, and the Chain O' Lakes waterway system in northwestern part of Lake County which is composed of 15 lakes connected by the Fox River and man-made channels.

Additional adjacent urban areas, which are often considered to belong the greater Chicago area, that are not covered in this part of the guide:

• 🌍 Kenosha County, Wisconsin : The south-easternmost county in Wisconsin. The eastern portion is sometimes considered part of greater Chicagoland.
• 🌍 Lake County, Indiana : The north-westernmost county in Indiana. The eastern portions of the county are often considered portions of Chicagoland.
• 🌍 McHenry County : Northwest of Cook County and sharing much of its border with Wisconsin, this Illinois county is often considered part of Chicagoland due to its many connections (including rail and highway).

Cities

Aerial photograph of the skyscrapers at the Loop area of Chicago

Chicagoland, though centered on Chicago, is anchored by many regional cities which have their own distinct cultures, economics and traditions. These are a few of the noteworthy cities and communities in the region:

• 🌍 Chicago : The principal city of the region and its main economic engine.
• 🌍 Aurora : Illinois's second largest city and one of the two anchors of the Fox River Valley, Aurora is a major city and often considered the gateway to the region on I-88.
• 🌍 Elgin : A historic community and second of the two anchors of the Fox River Valley, Elgin is the gateway to the region on I-90.
• 🌍 Joliet : The anchor of the South Suburbs, Joliet is a gateway to the region.
• 🌍 Naperville : The primary city of the Western Suburbs, Naperville is often noted for its urban downtown.
• 🌍 Waukegan : Birthplace of Ray Bradbury, Waukegan is the anchor of the Far North Suburbs.

Understand

Though founded in 1833, the City of Chicago was incorporated in 1837. Spurred by port and rail traffic, the City became one of the fastest growing urban areas in the world for several decades and gradually became both the center of the Chicagoland region and the entire Midwest. Much of the growth of the region can be linked directly to Chicago and its history.

Following the conclusion of the Second World War, Chicagoland simply exploded. New model suburbs such as Park Forest gave returning veterans the new amenities of inexpensive housing away from the City. They settled, raised families and saw a cycle of growth continue. Population started shifting into these new suburbs, which continued to grow and incorporate. Today, the City of Chicago has 2.7 million people while the entire area has 9.7 million (just the Illinois portion). Whereas once the city also held all the attractions, now there are hundreds of unique sites, restaurants and festivals throughout the entire area.

Climate

Chicago, like much of the Midwest, is known for cold winters and warm, humid summers. During the spring and fall, temperatures can shift somewhat radically, though locations near the lake (typically within 20 miles) tend to be somewhat shielded from this by the lake. You can expect highs in the lower 20s (°F) in January and February and mid-80s in July and August.

Get in

Chicagoland is a major hub for vehicle, air, rail and port traffic and is accessible via any number of different methods. The city has an outstanding public transport system, which allows great access not only to the City but to many areas of the region. Below are a few different methods of entry:

By car

• Interstate System: Chicagoland is the dead center of most major interstates serving the Midwest as well as many cross-country routes (specifically, I-80, I-90 and I-94). The following routes either pass through or connect the region:

• I-80 (portions tolled): I-80 crosses through the South Suburbs region.
• I-88 (tolled): I-88 is a regional interstate which connects the region to the Quad Cities
• I-90 (tolled): I-90 connects the region locally to Rockford and Gary and ultimately Madison.
• I-94 (tolled): I-94 connects the region to Milwaukee and Detroit and ultimately to the Twin Cities.
• I-55: I-55 terminates in Chicagoland and connects it to St. Louis and ultimately to New Orleans.
• I-57: I-57 terminates in Chicagoland and connects it to Memphis.
• I-65: I-65, which originates in the Indiana portion of Chicagoland, connects the region to Indianapolis and ultimately Louisville.

• US Highways: Chicagoland is connected through a series of US numbered highways including US 20, US 30, US 41 and US 45.

By plane

• O'Hare International Airport: The region's primary airport, O'Hare is one of the busiest airports in the world. It provides service to most other major cities in North America and many international destinations. It is connected to the Chicago Loop via the CTA's Blue Line.
• Midway Airport: Chicagoland's second major airport, Midway primarily provides service to other destinations in the United States and is accessible from CTA's Orange Line to the Loop.
• Dupage County Airport: A "designated reliever airport" for O'Hare and an increasingly popular airport.
• Chicago Executive Airport: A second designated reliever airport, it is an increasingly popular airport for chartered flights based in Wheeling and Prospect Heights.
• Waukegan Regional Airport: A third designated reliever airport, the Waukegan Regional Airport receives chartered flights.

By train

Chicagoland is served by numerous Amtrak routes.

Get around

Metra system map

By car

Despite its excellent public transportation (by US standards), personal vehicles remain the best form of transportation in the area. The interstates are the primary method of vehicle travel, though, mostly to avoid tolls and congestion, many local routes are used. Below are some commonly travelled routes which tourists may find useful for avoiding traffic:

• North-south routes:

• US 41: US 41 (known as "Lake Shore Drive" in Chicago) is a primary north-south route. It connects the Far North Suburbs, North Shore, City and South Suburbs.
• US 45: US 45 is a primary north-shore and connects the Far North Suburbs, Northwestern Suburbs, Immediate Suburbs and Southern Suburbs.
• IL 53: IL 53 is a unique route that primarily serves as a connection point between various points of the Northwestern Suburbs. However, it is a important thoroughfare for connection to local interstates. There are current plans to extend it into the Chain O'Lakes/Far North Suburbs.
• IL 59: IL 59 connects the Chain O'Lakes to the Northwestern Suburbs and Western Suburbs before terminating in Naperville.
• IL 31: IL 31 is the major north-south route connecting the Chain O'Lakes and Fox River Valley.

• East-west routes:

• IL 120: IL 120 is the primary connection between the Far North Suburbs and the Chain O'Lakes. It terminates near Woodstock in McHenry County. Through much of the Far North Suburbs, this route is open freeway.
• US 12: US 12 runs on a northwest-southeast route through the entire region and connects the South Suburbs directly to the City and then runs northwest connecting the Northwestern Suburbs to the Chain O'Lakes.
• Lake-Cook Road: A major east-west route, this road is the border between Lake and Cook Counties, and connects the North Shore to the Northwestern Suburbs and Fox River Valley.
• US 14: Like US 12, US 14 runs a northwest-south route through the entire region. It originates in the City and then connects it to the Northwestern Suburbs, Fox River Valley and McHenry County before exiting the region. Through much of its course, it runs alongside the Union Pacific Northwest Metra Line.
• US 20: A major east-west arterial, this route connects the City to the Immediate and Western Suburbs and the Fox River Valley. Through Elgin, the route is open freeway.
• North Avenue: A major east-west route, North Avenue originates in the City and runs through the Immediate and Western Suburbs into the Fox River Valley.
• Ogden Avenue: Another route originating in the City, Odgen connects the City to many of the Immediate Suburbs, the Western Suburbs and Aurora.
• US 30: A major-east west through, US 30 primarily serves the South Suburbs.

By train

A Metra train pulls out of Union Station in Chicago

Chicagoland's Metra commuter train system is one of the most connected and advanced in the United States with 241 stations on 11 routes. Below is a brief outline of each the train routes (a full list of stops and schedules is available on Metra's website:

• BNSF Railway: Provides daily service between Chicago's Union Station and Aurora through much of the Western Suburbs.
• Heritage Corridor: Daily service between Union Station and Joliet (this is one of two routes originating in Joliet).
• Milwaukee District North Line: Connects Chicago's Union Station and Fox Lake, the anchor of the Chain O'Lakes. It provides service through the Northwestern and Far North Suburbs as well.
• Milwaukee District West Line: Connects Union Station and Elgin passing through many of the Northwestern Suburbs inbetween.
• North Central Service: Provides service between Union Station and Antioch in the Chain O' Lakes. It connects many of the Northwestern and Far North Suburbs in between.
• Rock Island District: Connects LaSalle Street Station to Joliet and passes through many southern suburbs.
• Southwest Service: Connects Union Station to Manhattan through the South Suburbs.
• Union Pacific North Line: One of Metra's most heavily traveled lines, the North Line connects Ogilvie Station with Waukegan and Kenosha.
• Union Pacific Northwest Line: Another of the region's most heavily traveled lines, the Northwest Line connects Ogilvie to Crystal Lake and Harvard. It provides service to most of the Northwestern Suburbs, a portion of the Fox River Valley and McHenry County.
• Union Pacific West Line: The West Line connects Ogilvie and extends to Elburn, connecting many Immediate and West Suburbs as well as portions of the Fox River Valley. Elburn is actually considered part of the greater Northern Illinois region.

By bus

Two major bus systems serve the region: the Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA) and Pace. CTA services Chicago while PACE covers the rest of the region. Visit their websites for more information: Chicago Transportation Authority and Pace.

By Subway/L: The CTA also manages the Chicago subway and elevated rail ('L') system. Since the majority of the system serves the actual city, most information can be found there. However, certain CTA stops are in the greater region including Wilmette, Evanston, Skokie, Rosemont, Cicero, Forest Park, and Oak Park, which makes those respective lines sometimes an easier alternative to vehicle or Metra for access to the city.

See

Buildings and architecture

• The Baha'i Temple: A cultural and architectural wonder located in Wilmette.
• Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture: Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture abounds through the Immediate Suburbs but particularly in River Forest and Oak Park.
• The Loop: Chicago's Loop contains a mixture of stylized modern skyscrapers and historic buildings.

Do

Professional sports

Chicago is home a number of major and minor sports teams. A few select local teams and their stadium or arena locations:

• Chicago Bears (National Football League - based at Soldier Field, Chicago)
• Chicago Blackhawks (National Hockey League - based at the United Center, Chicago)
• Chicago Bulls (National Basketball League - based at the United Center, Chicago)
• Chicago Cubs (Major League Baseball - based at Wrigley Field, Chicago)
• Chicago Fire (Major League Soccer - based at Toyota Park, Bridgeview)
• Chicago White Sox (Major League Baseball - based at U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago)
• Chicago Red Stars (National Women's Soccer League - based at the Benedictine University Sports Complex, Lisle)

Parks and zoos

Chicagoland has a number of spectacular and award winning parks. Some major parks throughout the area which draw crowds include the following:

• Millennium Park - the famous Millennium Park is in the Chicago Loop.
• Lincoln Park Zoo - a free zoo open in the Lincoln Park Neighborhood of Chicago.
• Brookfield Zoo - a world-renown zoo located in suburban Brookfield in the Immediate Suburbs.
• Morton Arboretum - a world famous arboretum located in suburban Lisle in the Western Suburbs.
• Six Flags Great America - this flagship of the Six Flags parks is located in Gurnee in the Far North Suburbs.
• Illinois State Beach Park - a large natural area on Lake Michigan in the Far North Suburb of Zion.

Gambling and casinos

• Harrah's Joliet
• Grand Victoria
• The Rivers

Eat

Like any metropolitan area, Chicagoland offers every type of cuisine at every different kind of price range. Quintessential Chicagoland favorites include Italian beef (a beef sandwich commonly served with gravy and peppers), Chicago deep dish pizza and Polish sausage. Chicago-style hot dogs are common throughout the country, but the best are only available in Chicagoland. Local favorite restaurant chains for Chicago-staples include Lou Malnati's (deep dish pizza) and Portillo's (Italian beef, Polish sausage and Chicago-style hot dogs). Of course, residents from across the area will always swear by their local restaurant as the best, however.

Drink

Chicagoland has beer, wine, mixed drinks and coffee to compete with any other first-class city in the world. Goose Island Brewery, an originally independent brewery now owned by Anheuser-Busch, still brews and distributes local favorite beers such as 312 and Green Line throughout the area. Other craft breweries such as Great Lakes (in Lake Bluff), Half Acre (in Chicago) and Two Brothers (in Warrenville) are also popular and their beers easily found throughout the region. Many restaurants also brew and serve their own beer.

Chicagoland's love of coffee is also extensive, and excellent coffee can be found in the city and throughout the region. Starbucks, Caribou and other chains are available as well as many independent shops.

Stay safe

Chicagoland, as a whole, is generally safe. However, depending on what a visitor is doing and when they are visiting, unique situations can be present. Below is a brief summary:

Winter weather

While winter weather tends to be more mild in Chicagoland than other parts of the Midwest, the region is by no means immune to blizzards and heavy snow. When travelling during snowy or icy weather, there are some things travellers should know:

• Public transit (especially trains) will most likely operate throughout any winter weather event. If you can, use the Metra or the CTA lines to get around.
• If you are travelling by car, know that almost all jurisdictions use a three-tier system for plowing (meaning that major routes get first attention with local roads tending to be done last). For those reasons, travellers should try to stick to major routes and roads (such as the tollways and freeways).
• Since ownership of roads varies considerably throughout the region, those traveling on roads should note that the status of one road (whether good or bad) has no bearing on the status of any other road.
• Given the location of Chicagoland, "lake effect snow" is a common occurrence. Visitors should take lake effect snow seriously, especially as it can dramatically impact travel conditions.

Crime

Though it has received national attention for crime, most of Chicagoland is safe for travellers who use good judgment.

Cope

Newspapers

• The Chicago Tribune ("The Trib") is the Chicago area's biggest daily, and publishes a suburban edition.
• The Chicago Sun-Times The other major Chicago paper, long-time rivals with the Tribune.
• The Daily Herald is a large daily newspaper aimed primarily at the suburbs.
• The Northwest Herald.

Go next

Chicagoland is adjacent to Northern and Central Illinois, to Southeast Wisconsin, and to Northwestern Indiana. Parts of Wisconsin and Indiana are sometimes included in the definition of Chicagoland.